Into the World of Twisted Wonderland Pt 2

👑 The Beautiful Tyrant: Chapter 53 👑

Once the Riddle and Angel approached the Mountain Lovers Club booth, with Grim and Trey lagging a bit behind, they were a bit shocked to see Jade smiling at them. "Why, hello there," he greets. "It's an honor to receive a personal visit from the culture fair management committee chair," he says as he looks at the two. "Welcome to the Mountain Lovers Club exhibit." He steps aside, letting the two enter the classroom. The two were shocked, not really expecting much for the club, their eyes fully glued on the varies pictures in the classroom.

"Heya, Goldfishie!" Floyd calls out playfully, making Riddle flinch. "Glad to have ya. You get our First Guest Prize: a mystery mushroom, hand-picked by Jade." He shoves a cluster of brown mushrooms in front of his face.

"Hey! Don't shove weird objects in my face!" Riddle exclaims as he tries to push him away. "What do you think you're doing?! And stop calling me by that silly nickname!"

"Boo...." Floyd pouts only to look at Angel next. He smirks. "What about you, L'il Jellysifhie?" He waves the mushrooms around. "I know you just looooove 'em."

"Uh...." Angel looks at the mushroom nervously. "Um...no thanks..."

"I'll have you both know that it is not a 'mystery mushroom' OR a 'weird object'," Jade states to both Floyd and Riddle. "It has a name: brown beech mushroom. And it's perfectly edible."

"Keep your brother in line before you start worrying about corrections!" Riddle glares at Jade while also trying to hold Floyd back. "I'll have both of your heads!"

"What's all the commotion at the entrance?" Trey says as he approaches the classroom. "Ooh, I see. This is an exhibit of terrariums and photos," he says as he looks around.

"Heh heh," Jade chuckles. "By all means, Trey, feel free to join us. This is a pastiche of all things I've foraged in the mountains."

"Heya, Sealie. Nice to see you too, Sea Turtle," Floyd greets.

"Hm?" Trey hums in confusion. "Am I the sea turtle here?"

"Grrr..." Grim growls. "Ever since I found out why he calls me 'Sealie,' I feel like I'm bein' insulted."

"It's a term of endearment," Angel recalls him saying.

"And what are you doing here, Floyd?" Riddle asks. "Aren't you in the Basketball Club with Ace and Jamil? Surely you all should be working on building the Blue Stage in the gymnasium."

"I wasn't in much of a buildin' mood, so I was draggin' my feet. Then they kicked me out. Aha hah," he laughs, making everyone sigh.

"Culture fairs only come together when students work as a team," Riddle states. "Neglecting your duties because of a little mood swing is worse than breaking the rules!"

"What's the big deal? The captain said I could go, so I went," he says with slight annoyance. "Besides, I gotta do a bunch of Mostro Lounge work this afternoon. I'm gonna be carrying around heavy tanks and walkin' around selling drinks. Man...Jade doesn't gotta do any work. Why do *I* have to do all the heavy lifting today?" He sighs. "I wanna mess around like you guys are."

"We're doing management committee work right now! We are NOT 'messing around.'" Riddle states.

"Heh heh," Jade chuckles. "Don't fret, Floyd. There's a special bonus to be earned by the vendor who makes the most drink sales. Azul said so himself."

"You know I don't care about stuff like that. In fact, doesn't the Mountain Lovers Club do a bunch of mountain climbin'? Doesn't that count as a sport? Don't go tryin' to pass it off as an arts club now."

"Ooh, so you guys do mountaineering?" Trey asks with interest.

"Actually, hiking isn't our primary activity," Jade explains. "We're not scaling tall mountains and collecting proof that we reached the summit, or anything of that sort. We just go on leisurely walks in the mountains around campus, where we take in the scenery, as well as the flora and fauna. Our main goal is to appreciate the mountains' bounty, while also enjoying its edible plants and mushrooms."

"Ah, I see," Trey says in thought. "That puts it closer to a photography club or cooking club."

"I don't know about that. I simply take in the mountains with my sense and enjoy the experience. Sometimes I do observe things, but I'm not doing any serious experimenting like the Science Club."

"So basically, you just go to the mountains and scavenge for grub," Grim says.

"Heh heh," he chuckles. "I certainly wash and cook what I find, but generally speaking, yes."

"I see photos of plants and rocks on the wall," Riddle says as he looks around the room, seeing various photos and glass containers full of plants. "Did you take those?"

"I did indeed. I'm sure it all looks rather mundane and humdrum to you land-dwellers...But as a sea-dweller, I find it all fascinating."

"Even then, you pick the most boring subjects. It's all rocks and plants you could find anywhere," Floyd states. "I don't get what's fun about it. Even our ancestors would at least collect rarer things." Angel thought about it, remembering how the museum underwater had exhibits of a fork. Not really rare as more than common everyday items with different purposes...

"Heh heh heh. Maybe that's why I'm the only member of the club," Jade chuckles.

Suddenly, a blaring sound is heard on the PA system, getting everyone's attention. "This is an announcement to all students preparing for the culture fair. Festivities will open to the public in five minutes," it warns. "Please return to your booths and make your final preparations."

"Oh no, it's almost opening time already! I haven't even checked the east building yet!" Riddle exclaims.

"Then I think we'd best get going. Here's hoping your booth is a success," Trey says to Jade.

"Best to luck to you as well. Thank you all for visiting," Jade says with a smile.

"Bye-byeee!" Floyd says as the four head off.

After turning the corner from the booth, the four stooped. "It definitely had a distinctive atmosphere. I suppose most things do, when the twins get involved," Trey says.

"I still don't know what that club's supposed to be about," Grim says with paws on his hips.

"They're not doing anything disruptive, and that's all I care about. Let's move on," Riddle says as he continues to walk with the rest in tow.